The Greater Than God Controversy

January 9, 2009

CONTENTS

 1.      No One Is Greater Then God the Father

 

2.      The Two Others: A Study of Equality of the Son and Spirit

 

3.      No One Above the Most High Trinity

 

4.      A Testimony to the Truth of the God-man

 5.      Satan’s Way to Rise Above the Most High

 6.      The Highest and Supreme Cosmic Offense

 7.      Turning Man’s Pride on It’s Head

Chapter 1:

No One Is Greater Than God the Father

            How is God the Father greater then all (John 10:29)?  What does it mean when God the Son says “the Father is greater then I” (John 14:28)? 

            God the Father is greater then all in the relationship within the Godhead.  That is, He is the First Person of the Trinity. This is in the economic understanding of the Godhead.  The Son is neither the First nor the Spirit.  The Son is the Second Person of the Trinity, and the Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity.  This does not change in regards to numeral relationship of the Three Persons in the Godhead.

God the Father is greater then the Son by touching His sacred humanity.  The Father never took upon flesh (opposed to Mormonism), and only the Son became man and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  And yet, God the Father and God the Son is co-equal in regards to deity.  The Father and the Son are of one substance: both are equally divine. 

Therefore, no one can rise above the Trinity of God.  No one can rise above the Most High Father.  The Three Persons are equally divine: it is proper to speak of the Son as the Most High Son, and the Spirit as the Most High Spirit.  That is, the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God. 

When we speak this way, we recognize that though each Person is divine, they are not separately Gods in disunity (Tritheism), but one in essence and three distinct Persons (Trinitarianism). 

Who, then, is greater then the Father who always was?  Are the Son and the Spirit divine Persons?  False cults say that the Son is less then divine, and the Spirit is some sort of impersonal force.  But whence cometh these views from the Divine Word? 

Chapter 2:

The Two Others: A Study of Equality of the Son and Spirit

            The Son and the Spirit are equally divine: both are eternally self-existent.  Jehovah’s Witnesses say that Jesus is an exalted angel; Mormons say that Jesus is the spirit-brother of Lucifer; Muslims say that Jesus is a great prophet but not Jehovah; some old Romanists say that Mary is the Soul of the Spirit; and Modalists deny that Jesus is distinct from the Father and the Spirit. 

            The Son and Spirit is in the Godhead with God the Father.  It is an eternal, heavenly and sinless friendship and fellowship. 

The Three Persons share the one being of God (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14), and the Three Persons are from everlasting to everlasting.  There is no contradiction to Monotheism and Trinitarianism in embracing the biblical Trinity.  It is not polytheism to embrace the equality of the Three Persons, and the one being of God. 

Eternal life is to know the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Those people who reject the Trinity have no spiritual life, and those who embrace the Trinity and yet deny the gospel of faith alone and Christ alone are also condemned. 

The Father, the Son and the Spirit are not after the manner of the Roman Bishop.  No one in truth can rise above God the Holy Trinity.  Only Satan wants to be higher then the Most High, and to counter the past God-man by the Roman Antichrist. 

Chapter 3:

No One Is Above the Most High Trinity

            Who would dare to say they are above the Most High?  The exaltation of man to be God is an offense against God.  It is based in pride and all unrighteousness.        Therefore, no one is truly greater then God the Holy Trinity.  Sin cannot raise above God the Holy Trinity, because the Triune Lord of glory is greater then sin.  Does He not conquer sin, and Satan by the Lord Jesus Christ?  There is no hope for sin but the Lord Christ has paid for it by Himself to keep for Himself His own.  The elect cannot be touched by the ultimate enemy that arising from the pit of hell.

            Wasn’t it Satan’s rebellion to rise above the Most High? This will be true of the Roman Antichrist from Satan’s workshop.  This bowel-movement of Satan will be the ultimate flood of dark waters; the ultimate tower of dung; the ultimate Judas and Diotrephes.  

Satan never achieved what he sought: he never became truly God, and he is not god in anyway whatsoever.  Rather, he was cast down to the earth in expectation of hellish retributive judgment in eternal fire forevermore.  No one in hell will be greater then the Most High.  No one on earth will be greater then the Most High.  And heaven will have no one greater then the Most High. 

It is true that Satan is high in sin.  But sin has been defeated by the Lord Jesus Christ.  By His life He conquered death, and by His death He conquered death. 

Why would anyone want to exalt themselves over the Most High?  It is plain rebellion in self-destructive sin, and there is no sin in God the Holy Trinity. 

Chapter 4:

A Testimony to the Truth of the God-man

            The testimony of the God-man is that He is the eternal, self-existent I AM in human flesh.  The teaching of the God-man is true, and all false religion denies it.  The Bible speaks for the fact that God became man in Jesus Christ:

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2 NKJV).

The Antichrist, Nero, is against the teaching of the God-man.  The antichrists are in the world, and the world loves them.  Christ was in the world and the world did not know Him.  The Antichrist is for reckless rebellion over God, but Christ was impeccably and immutably sinless, the God who was, and is, and always will be.  Even so, amen. 

            Rome denies that the Son is enough as the grounds of righteousness for how a person is right with God.  Rome does not embrace in truth that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  Hearts and minds in deceit make no true belief. 

            The devil comes, and professes every true belief of the Reformed faith, but though he can say the right things, he is devoid of all spiritual life.  Like the devil, the Romanist has the same ability after the manner of Judas.  Truth is used as a Trojan-horse to gain trust while he snatches your soul by a pretending spirit.

            Diotrephes was not of the truth; he had no saving faith in the God-man.  Little children, be of the goodness of God, and not the evil of sinful man.  The goodness of God is found only in a heart and mind united in Christ, but the evil of sinful man is found in the denial of the Son. 

Christ is denied by a mouth that speaks after Arianism, but with Romanism it is an elusive lie that catches the soul, and prepares it for the body of destruction in all fleshly lusts and passions: devoid of all holiness and uprightness. 

Whether Christ is denied by a secret confession of the mind, and yet there is an accurate, outward confession of the mouth: the contradictory hypocrisy is evidence of denial of true doctrine.  Whence cometh true belief if Christ is denied?

Chapter 5:

Satan’s Way to Rise Above the Most High

            After Satan was created, his will was subject to change.  It was not immutably fixed to sinlessness.  Like Adam’s will, he chose to sin, but no one tempted Satan.  Pride filled the being of Satan, and he “proclaimed” in his heart the highest blasphemy:

13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14 KJV). 

The heart is a place where abominations may reside.  Jesus spoke of what comes out of the heart: evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness (Mark 7:21-22 KJV).  The heart and mind life is about loyalty to Christ.  Satan was consumed in sin, and he will perish by the Divine Consuming Fire. 

            Satan desired and willed to exalt himself above God.  The foolishness of sin results in the punishment of sin.  Sin is not devoid of perfect justice, but perfect justice is devoid of sin. 

            Satan has no place in the throne of God: God never enthroned Satan as God.  He has no place among the saints and elect angels of heaven.  Rising above the Most High is a damnable offense, and there is no redeemer for the angelic race.  Origen believed Satan would be forgiven, but upon what basis?  There is no scriptural basis but only eternal doom, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41 NASB). 

            God throws Satan down to hell where he will be tormented forevermore with the false prophet and the Roman Antichrist.  There is no light in outer darkness, and the false light that Satan portrays will be quenched by the outer darkness of hell. 

Whence cometh hell for the abominable ones?

Chapter 6:

The Highest and Supreme Cosmic Offense

            The greatest sins deserve the greatest punishment.  The group of occultic men and women and the fallen angels will suffer in the greatest way unless they repent.  There is nothing taken out of the supreme judgment of God, because the sin is the highest and supreme cosmic offense against God the Holy Trinity. 

            People tend to think that what does it matter if I do this sin or that sin?  They forget that they offend the Almighty Three in One.  They are blinded by bitterness, hatred and badness, and partake of the pleasures of Satan’s worldliness. 

            Will God act before the time?  We ought to pray for the end of the ultimate enemy.  Who can bare any longer his ways of tyranny?  O God! take the devil down to the pit!  Rise up and strike and smite him by Thy sword of truth! 

            Whence cometh the judgment? 

Chapter 7:

Turning Man’s Pride on its Head

            Doesn’t the God of the Bible turn things on its head?  By the death of Christ He made life for His people: the devil could not discern the Almighty love of Christ the King. 

            God turned death on its head, and by the resurrection He abolished death.  Christ submitted to death so His people would have the light of His righteousness.  The enemy came to destroy Christ by submitting to Satan’s pleasure: doing evil that good may come.  They reasoned it would have destroyed the Messiah’s purpose, but it was in that submission of Christ to death that the ways of death would die by His bodily resurrection. 

            What will the God of the Hebrews do this day?  What God does is devoid of evil pride, and His ways will conquer the incarnate pride of rebellious angels and men. 

            The Almighty ways of God the Holy Trinity avails over Satan, and by His crushing power.   Even so, amen. 

Eternal Security

     The eternal security of the saints is interchanged with the perseverance of the saints or the preservation of the saints; that is, God keeps His own from utterly falling away.  That means God keeps His own despite opposition or discouragement.  The ultimate reason why they are eternally secure is not because of their strength or commitment; however, it is because of the preservation of Christ through the Spirit in them.  The Gospel of John tells us that through Jesus’ promise to the Father and His people we will never perish.  Jesus asked that His people would preserve to glory; that is, to be in heaven with Him.  He continues to intercede for His own and it is impossible that His prayer would go unanswered to His Heavenly Father.   In Romans 8 Paul rejoices that he has present and future security with the saints in and through Christ.  Paul blesses God that God will continue His work that He has begun.  The regenerate is saved through faith and obedience to the end as God keeps them to Himself.  All professors are not necessarily truly Christians but all possessors are truly Christian.  If we try to live in our own strength we will fail but if we live by the power of the Spirit we will avail.  False professions will not be acknowledged but only those who truly possess Christ.  We ought to be considered with holiness of heart and love of neighbor.  Only these can know that they are born from above!  Eternal security should not lead to arrogant living and careless presumption; however, the born again person may backslide and fall into sin; however, the Spirit of holiness convicts us of our sin so we would be restored to a holy righteousness.  The Spirit gives us a greater confidence in the Son when He restores us back from our sinning; that is, we are given a greater trust in Him then ever before.
     The London Confession of Faith of 1689 states,

Chapter 17: Of The Perseverance of the Saints

1._____ Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, whence he still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality; and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them, yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.
( John 10:28, 29; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 2:19; Psalms 89:31, 32; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Malachi 3:6 )

2._____ This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
( Romans 8:30 Romans 9:11, 16; Romans 5:9, 10; John 14:19; Hebrews 6:17, 18; 1 John 3:9; Jeremiah 32:40 )

3._____ And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein, whereby they incur God's displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit, come to have their graces and comforts impaired, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded, hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves, yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.
( Matthew 26:70, 72, 74; Isaiah 64:5, 9; Ephesians 4:30; Psalms 51:10, 12; Psalms 32:3, 4; 2 Samuel 12:14; Luke 22:32, 61, 62 )

God: To Love or Not to Love

     The God of the Bible is about love; that is, He is love itself.  He truly and surely loves His people unto the very end.  There is no love so great as the love of Christ for His people; that is, He loved us first in the Beloved.  There is no love so wonderful as the love of Christ for His people, because He owns His people.  If God loves someone in His own well-beloved Son He loves them in such a way as embraces them to Himself, and there is no love shed in blood that is ever greater then the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. 
     We ought to be reminded of these things that Jesus' love is greater than any love imaginable, thinkable or containable.  Dark forces may assail us but Jesus' love, blood and righteousness destroys all strongholds that assail us.  Let us press on toward the prize of our high calling in Christ.
     We must remember that no one can take us out of His hand; that is, we are positionally His and justified by His free grace.  We are united to Christ in sanctification and effectually called unto His glorious redemption. 

The Doctrine of Justification

The doctrine of justification by faith alone was the heart of the Gospel; that is, it was the center and heart of the Reformation.  The Gospel shaped Paul’s message and devotion to God.  The New Testament affirms and defends the doctrine of justification; however, it primarily comes from Saint Paul.  God pardons sinners and accepts them as righteous because of Christ’s sake.  God makes things right in this doctrine between a holy God and a sinner.  It is a status acceptance for Christ’s sake.  God forgives unjust persons, but not through injustice or unrighteousness.  He forgives on the basis of Christ alone; that is, Christ took the divine justice due for lost rebels and gives them His own very righteousness.  There is nothing unjust about this doctrine.  Christ lived perfectly and merited our own justification.  Justification is on a just basis; that is, it is on Christ and Him alone.  His righteousness is accounted to our account.  The doctrine of justification is a destination to eternal heaven.  Justification is a judgment on our eternal destiny; but God would never refuse or reverse it.  But Satan argues and appeals against it to destroy us but Christ’s merit and meditation stand firm.  It means to be justified is to be eternally secure.  Faith is the instrument of justification in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Redeemer.  Trust is necessary because of the meritorious basis of Christ alone.  We find divine and cosmic pardon and acceptance that no one else offers to His people. 

A Few Good Reformed Web Sites

Here are a few great Reformed web sites:

Faith Defenders - Apologetics for the Next Reformation
www.faithdefenders.com 
 Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible
http://www.accradio.com/index.php/dr-barnhouse-and-the-bible  
The Bible Study Hour - Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Inc
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/the-bible-study-hour/ 
Walter Martin's Religious InfoNet 
http://www.waltermartin.com/

We Are Called to Believe Christ

We are called to believe Christ:

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?  (Acts 11:17).

 
But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.  (Acts 15:11).

 

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  (Acts 16:31).

 

It is by faith without works in Romans 3:

 

 ²¹But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²²Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.²⁷Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.²⁸Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.  ²⁹Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:³⁰Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. ³¹Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 4 speaks of faith alone:

¹What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? ²For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. ³For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. ⁴Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. ⁵But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. ⁶Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, ⁷Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. ⁸Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

My Two Favorite Scripture Verses

I shared these verses with some Bible-believing Christians years ago.  It is truly an encouragement to meditate on these verses. 

Here is a verse that combats loneliness and meditation on it is key to realizing that Jesus is present with you IN ALL THINGS:

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”   (Matthew 28:20).

Here is a verse that speaks of a never-refusal by Christ to COME TO HIM and to receive His rest and comfort for our souls:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”  (Matthew 11:28-29).

Predestinarian Bible Verses

Those appointed to eternal life believed:

Acts 13:48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; AND AS MANY AS HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO ETERNAL LIFE BELIEVED.

We became children of God by God:

John 1:12-13: But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, WHO WERE BORN NOT OF BLOOD, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD.

It has been granted to suffer for His name:

Philippians 1:29: FOR TO YOU IT HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE IN HIM, but also to suffer for his sake.

He foreknew us and predestined us:

Romans 8:29-30: FOR WHOM HE FOREKNEW, HE ALSO PREDESTINED to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

He predestined us to adoption:

Ephesians 1:5: HE PREDESTINED US to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.

We have been predestined according to His purpose:

Ephesians 1:11 Also WE HAVE OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE, HAVING BEEN PREDESTINED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE who works all things after the counsel of His will.

Repent and Believe the Gospel

1. You need a new heart.  "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ez. 36:26 NASB).
2. You must understand that God is holy (Is. 6:2-3).
3. You need to understand that you are a sinner incapable of saving yourself.  "...as it is written,  "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;  THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;  ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE..."  (Rom. 3:10-12 NASB).  "...and those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8:8 NASB).  
4. You need the unified righteousness of Christ alone.  "But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed..."  (Rom 3:21-25 NASB).  "...But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works…"  (Rom. 4:5-6 NASB). 
5. You need the evidences of being born again.  "...repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15 NASB). 
6. You need to be declared righteous.  "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit..."  (Titus 3:5 NASB).  It is of Him alone Who calls:  "...for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls..."  (Rom. 9:11 NASB).
7. You need to trust the DIVINE Jesus of the Bible who bodily rose from the dead. "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us..."  (John 1:14 cf. John 20:24-29 NASB). 
8. You need to trust God the Father:  "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life" (John 5:24 NASB). 
9. You need to trust God the Spirit (John 14:16-18).
10. You need to repent of your sins today.  "...Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION..." (2 Cor. 6:2 NASB).  "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent..."  (Acts 17:30 NKJV). 
11. You need to follow Christ and out of love for Christ we must follow His commandments (1 John 5:3), and seek to please Him (1 John 3:22). 

The Freshness of Divine Truth

     I think the reason for conversion or reversion to a false religion is the devaluing of divine truth connected to nothing less then the Gospel of God.  I think people are drawn to false religion by something new and a devaluing of divine truth.  People are focused on pleasure over against truth.  There is a kind of normal satisfaction one gets over learning and teaching the true things of God.  However, the freshness of the divine truth of divine Scripture is clouded by a wrong motive to love that which is false.  The need of a wrong satisfaction is what draws people to wrong religion; however, it comes down to one thing that makes them convert and revert to a false religion and it is: sin.  The freshness of divine truth is an awesome experience.  There is sin when we learn and teach about divine matters because it taints everything we do; however, to learn and teach a false religion (or, in other words, to believe it) is contrary to the law of God in right religion.  The freshness of divine truth keeps us loving the divine things of God; that is, it is by the grace of Him who saves to the uttermost that we are kept in the number of the Beloved of God.  Let us value the divine truth of Christ by His Spirit in the Father’s will to love and serve God!  Amen.

     The service of God is the worship of God.  Learning about His truth is the worship of God, because all things in life we do heartily to the Lord.  We ought to seek a worship that is from a pure heart through Christ crucified to learn and teach the Word of God.  We need His divine grace to continue onward.  We need the strength of His divine grace to love and worship the God who lives forever.  Let us be careful to mind what we are doing and love the true and divine things of God in Christ our Lord and Redeemer.  Let us not be ruled with an ungodly pleasure that drives us to false religion.  We must realize that there are eternal pleasures at the right hand of God the Father.  We will experience these divine pleasures in heaven.  We get a glimpse of them by the Word of God.  Happiness is following God’s will in and through the Word of God.  Joy is through repentance unto life and the remission of sins.  There is a happiness that is not a true happiness.  There is a joy that is not a true joy.  All happiness and joy is connected to the Gospel.  If we forfeit His divine and unified merit for additions to the Gospel or a subjection to the Gospel we are devoid of spiritual life and eternal happiness.  May we think long upon the Reformed faith in the Gospel of grace and peace!   Amen.

The Clarity of the Gospel of Grace and Peace

     People are confused about religion.  Some think it comes down to preference.  But what is the God of the Bible all about?  He is about justice and mercy, grace and truth.  Religion should not come down to preference.  Truth should motivate us to choose wisely.  The divine truth of Christ is that He was sent into the world to save sinners through His life and death alone in the trimphantness of His bodily resurrection.  Christ is greater then Buddha, Confucius and Mohammad!  The clarity of the Gospel is about the nature of God and the nature of the Gospel.  The nature of God is that there are three distinct persons in one true being; that is, three persons in one essence.  The nature of the Gospel is contrary to a works of satisfaction gospel; that is, justice was satisfied through the divine Redeemer at the Cross in the most precious transaction of His unified merit and righteousness!  The clarity of the Gospel is about repentance toward a holy God and forgiveness of sin in and through Jesus Christ. 

     The Gospel does not save us partially but wholly.  The thief on the Cross asked for Jesus to remember him.  We all should ask the same thing of Jesus.  He remembers us in the hiding of the Cross.  It covers our shame and unworthiness.  It is the time when we are declared righteous.  In sanctification we are made righteous.  The Gospel of sanctification is about being conformed to His majestic image.  We are glorified in a past tense but also there remains a future glorification.  We are now glorified in the sense that we are the children of God.  We will be glorified in the future of eternity where we will be sinless and unable to sin against God.  The clarity of the Gospel is forgiveness of sin in terms of our past, present and future life.  It is on the basis of Christ alone that we are forgiven and washed with and in His all-atoning blood.  His blood is the unsurpassing riches of all spiritual healing. 

     The Gospel is centered on Christ alone.  Rome says that people who do not know Christ exclusively will go to heaven; however, the Bible says that we must have a personal trust in Christ alone.  She also says that we have some part of goodness in us; however, the Psalms and Romans says that no one is good.  Jehovah’s Witnesses profess a belief in Christ that is contrary to the Bible; that is, they profess that he is Michael the Archangel.  Mormons profess Christ as a created god; however, the Bible says He is eternally self-existent.  Eastern Orthodoxy, according to one bishop, says that Christ cannot keep us finally and fully; however, Romans and Jude teach that He keeps His own forevermore.  Freemasonry says that man is good; however, the Bible says that man is thoroughly wicked and corrupt.  I do not state these things to make an empty quarrel.  I state these things because as a Reformed theologian I am deeply concerned about the clarity of the Gospel; however, Islam says that Mohammad is the last and greatest prophet.  That is, he is greater then Jesus Christ; however, the Bible says that anyone contrary to Christ the Lord is a thief and a robber. 

     May we love the Triune Lord!  Amen.

We Are All Spiritual Beggers

 ²²And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. ²³But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. ²⁴But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ²⁵Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. ²⁶But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. ²⁷And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. ²⁸Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.  (Matthew 15 KJV).

We are all spiritual beggers.  We are unworthy people seeking God’s help.  This woman from Canaan came to Jesus because her daughter was possessed with a devil.   Jesus did not speak to her right away.  The disciples did not seem to handle it rightly because they wanted her to go away; that is, she was crying after them.   Jesus said He was sent to the lost sheep Israel but she worshipped Him and cried out to Him.  This phrase here uttered by our Lord Jesus “It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.”  But she responded in faith that she eats the crumbs from her master’s table, and Jesus responded that she had great faith and her daughter was healed that very hour.   We are all like this woman that begged the Lord for healing, but the request must be a determined request through a faith that is kindled from above. 

A Short Study on John 10 and the Good Shepherd

Griffith Thomas said in The Apostle John: A Devotional Commentary, “The purpose of the writer is given at the end (20:30, 31), as though to suggest a reading through first, to get the proper impression, but whether we look at the purpose in light of the Gospel or the Gospel in the light of the purpose, we shall see that the entire writing possesses a unity based on a definite object, and every section appears to be selected with direct reference to its specific purpose.  Jesus Christ is central, and each incident, even when He Himself does not appear, is associated with Him.”  (p.103).
¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
John Chrysostom says about the good shepherd, “A great matter, beloved a great matter it is to preside over a Church: a matter needing wisdom and courage as great as that of which Christ speaketh, that a man should lay down his life for the sheep, and never leave them deserted or naked; that he should stand against the wolf nobly.”  (TNAPNF, First Series, Vol. XIV, St. Chrysostom, p.  216).
     This idea is against true belief; that is, anything that denies true belief is someone who entered a different way.  This reminds me of Rome; that is, she tells her people to enter through the Virgin Mary as a pathway to Jesus Christ.  There is no Scripture that says we should do this as part of the scope of spiritual redemption.  The thinking is that if God went to her first before Christ to conceive Him, we must take God’s example and do the same; however, such is not in the same sense of order of spiritual redemption; that is, spiritual salvation is through and in Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer.  We never hear God saying “This is my well-beloved Mother; listen to her.”  We hear the Father saying, “This is my well-Beloved Son; hear ye him.”  J.C Ryle says, “We have, for one thing, in these verses, a vivid picture of a false teacher of religion. Our Lord says that he is one who "enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way."  I am concerned about Roman Catholic people who go to Mary as a pathway to Jesus Christ.  We ought to never bring in religious philosophy to establish a unbiblical idea.  We will find out that the door of the sheep is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  May God forgive the Roman leadership for teaching this dogma of her faith to bring many to Himself!  For John Piper says, “Faith is sustained by looking at Christ, crucified and risen, not by turning from Christ to analyze your faith… Paradoxically, if we would experience the joy of faith, we must not focus much on it. We must focus on the greatness of our Savior.”   George Muller says, “We should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried. The more I am in a position to be tried in faith, the more I will have the opportunity of seeing God’s help and deliverance. Every fresh instance in which He helps and delivers me will increase my faith. The believer should not shrink from situations, positions, or circumstances in which his faith may be tried, but he should cheerfully embrace them as opportunities to see the hand of God stretched out in help and deliverance. Thus his faith will be strengthened.”
 ²But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd; that is, we will find out that He is the door of His sheep.  It is a beautiful figurative language set down by the apostle John.  The Shepherd controls the sheep; that is, He uses His rod and staff to control them.  Scott Hafemann says, “Faith is trusting God to do what he has promised because we are convinced by his provisions that God is both willing and able to keep his word.”  “Jesus claimed that He was destined to lead His sheep out into new pastures, which implied ability to impart a deepening special revelation.  Pasture, according to Psalm 23, meant sustenance and refreshment of the soul of men.  “He restoreth my soul” (Ps. 23:2).  (Tenney, The Gospel of Belief, p. 164).
 ³To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

His people hear His voice and they know Him.  He calls them by name and He leads them out.  He controls and motivates the sheep.  The Shepherd of the sheep and the sheep themselves have a harmonious relationship; that is, the Good Shepherd is the leader and the sheep are His people and leads them where they should go. 
 ⁴And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
The sheep know and follow the Good Shepherd; that is, they believe Him and know Him.  They follow Him because they know and in turn follow Him.
 ⁵And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
The sheep follow no one but the Good Shepherd, but if someone else tried to lead them they would not follow him for the sheep only know the voice of the Good Shepherd.  
 ⁶This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. ⁷Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
This was a parable Jesus spoke to them and they did not understand what things He spoke to them.  Jesus reveals He is the door of the sheep.  It is figurative language.  The deceivers were thieves and robbers.  The sheep, however, did not hear the thieves and robbers.  Jesus says He is the door; that is, He is the way to eternal life.  In order to get saved, you must go to Him.  The walk of the Christian faith is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; that is, because we have received Him let us walk in Him.  The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy the sheep; however, the Good Shepherd comes to give life and to have it more abundantly.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He lays His life down for the sheep.  
 ¹²But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹³The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. ¹⁵As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. ¹⁷Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
If someone who does not care watches over His sheep they will be lost.  This verse teaches the exclusivity of belief in Jesus Christ.  No Shepherd is greater then Him who is Jesus Christ.  No shepherd is able to protect His sheep like Jesus can.  Someone hired does not care for the sheep but only the Good Shepherd loves the sheep.  The Good Shepherd is Jesus Christ, He knows them and people know they are His.   God the Father knows the sheep of Jesus and Jesus lays down His life for the sheep.  Jesus died for people in every generation from every tribe, people, tongue and nation.  There is one fold that are the people of God and there is one Shepherd (Jesus).  The Father loves the Son and knows that His Son must lay down His life.  Those who belong to the Father belong to the Son and those who belong to the Son belong to the Father.  Jesus has the divine authority to lay it down and take it up again.  
 ¹⁸No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. ¹⁹There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.²⁰And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? ²¹Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? ²²And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. ²³And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. ²⁴Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
No man has authority to take His life from Him.  Jesus laid His life down of own accord.  Jesus has power to lay His life down and to take it up again.  He received this commandment from His Father.  The Jews thought He was a devil and out of His mind.  They disputed among themselves if He was demon possessed.  It was the feast of dedication and it was winter.  Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.   The Jewish wanted to hear it on their own terms but not the way Jesus spoke.  Jesus had already proclaimed that He was the Christ, but they would not listen to Him.   He spoke the divine truth that He was the Christ the divine Son of God.
 ²⁵Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. ²⁶But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. ²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. ³⁰I and my Father are one.
Jesus did works in His Father’s name that bear witness to Him.  The Jews did not believe because they were not His sheep.  The sheep hear His voice and He knows them and they follow Him.  He gives them eternal life and they shall never perish.   No one is able to pluck them out of His Father’s hand.  The Father and Son are one; that is, they are both equally divine and one in the plan of God.
 ³¹Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. ³²Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? ³³The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. ³⁴Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? ³⁵If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; ³⁶Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? ³⁷If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
The Jews took up stones to stone Him again.  Jesus read the Old Testament because it was sufficient for every good work.  Here Jesus speaks of His signs that He performed.  They did not make the connection that the works were signs that showed that He was God Incarnate.  He declare that He was God in human flesh by “I and my Father are one.”  The gods were human judges, but the divine Word cannot be broken.  He declared Himself to be the divine Son of God and backed it up by Scripture.  Jesus testified of Himself that His works were just, true and good.   
 ³⁸But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. ³⁹Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, ⁴⁰And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. ⁴¹And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. ⁴²And many believed on him there.
Jesus did good works; that is, Jesus did the works of His Father in glorious miracles and signs that bear witness to Him.  The Jews sought to get Him but He escaped out of their hands.  Jesus abode near the place where John baptized.  John spoke truly about Jesus Christ and because of the miracles people believed on Him there. 

John 10: No Man Can Take Us Out of the Father's Hand

     No man or devil can take us out of the Father's hand; that is, the Triune grip of the Trinity holds us in His hand.  We ought to rejoice in this divine truth that no one can take us out of His hand.  We must praise the Lord Most High for no one can take us out of His hand.
     We are bought with a price by the Lord Christ and His Cross.   "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."  The Lord knows His own people; that is, they belong to Him.  "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." No one can take us out of His hand and He gives us eternal life.  And eternal life is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer and we have more then a hope in Christ Jesus.  "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  I and my Father are one."  The Father and the Son keep His people.  The Father and the Son are one in purpose and substance; that is, He saves His people through spiritual redemption in His life and at the Cross and through His bodily resurrection.  The Holy Spirit applies spiritual salvation to His people by the life and death of Christ alone; that is, it is done in spiritual redemption to His people (John 10:27-30 KJV)

Romans 8:38-39: The Certain Hope of Eternal Life

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 KJV).

There is nothing in all creation that can take us out of His Triune grip.  We cannot turn from Him in an ultimate sense because we belong to God through Christ and Christ will always bring back a wandering sheep that has gone astray.  The love of God in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ keeps us to Himself.  Death cannot take us out of His hand, but neither can life.  Death is the pathway to Him, but life is a way to demonstrate our love for Him.  Angels cannot remove us from God's presence in spiritual salvation.  Demons cannot take us out of God's hand.  Angels and demons cannot take us out of His hand in and through Christ.  The present nor the future can take us out of His hand.  No, no!  The present demonstrates His love but also the future demonstrates His love.  Powers cannot take us out of His hand.  There is no power greater then the power of God in and through Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord.  Neither height nor depth can take us out of His hand.   God is greater then height or depth, and no one can take us away from Him; that is, He controls all things and nothing can take us away from Him.  There is no sin so great that it brings damnation on them that repent.  The unregenerate do not decide our lives but God in heaven and through His people in Christ.  Nothing in all creation can take us out of His hand.  The love of Christ can never separate us from Himself.  We must continue in the Christian faith by His grace and Spirit.  We are always His because He loves us.  He first loved us in and through Christ Jesus our Lord and Redeemer.  Let us stay in Christ Jesus our Lord and Redeemer by asking for His forgiveness, but let us not grow proud.  May the Lord Jesus Christ protect us from evil people and Satan that would seek to take us out of His hand!  There is nothing that can take us out of His hand and we should grow happy about this wonderful, awesome and great divine truth!  Praise God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His keeping power for all eternity! 

The Doctrine of the Final Judgment by our Lord Christ

     The Westminster Larger Catechism states on judgment,

Q. 56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?

A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men,[242] shall come again at the last day in great power,[243] and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels,[244] with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God,[245] to judge the world in righteousness.[246]

     The background of grace is the final judgment.  Paul and Jesus stress this doctrine more and more.  Paul says Jesus saves us from the wrath to come and on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.  God is a judicial Judge against sin; that is, He acts in His indignation and fury against sin.  Jesus acts as Judge in the Father’s behalf; that is, everything is running to a point towards the Last Judgment.  Judgment is coming for all mankind; that is, there is a judgment after death of whether we believe in Jesus and then there is a judgment at the Last Day about our works.  History must be completed for the Last Judgment and we all shall take our place before the throne of Christ.  Human imagination is not the test of what God will do, but it is according to His predestinatarian purpose and will.  We shall give an individual account to God for all that we have done.  He will render each one according to His deeds.  The regenerate and justified and sanctified will be awarded through the rightdoing of Christ, because they have the unified merit of Christ in His life and death alone.  The unregenerate will get judged in demerit because they do not possess the imputed righteousness of Christ.  The perfect justice of God will be demonstrated among all people, tribes, nations and tongues.  God is both just and sovereign, but He will be magnified and glorified in judging justly.  The righteousness of God will be established in the judgment from Christ.  For those who profess Christ a review of their words and works will determine if they know Him or not.  It will be seen if we profess Christ truly or if we are deceiving hypocrites.  All things will be exposed in the Final Day of Judgment.  Do you hate sin?  Do you love righteousness?   Such things will be discovered in the Day of Judgment.  Christ proclaimed repentance and righteousness, but those who love death will be damned.  Do you love spiritual life over spiritual death? 

     The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 says,

Chapter 32: Of the Last Judgment

1._____ God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ; to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.
( Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Jude 6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10, 12; Matthew 25:32-46 )

2._____ The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
( Romans 9:22, 23; Matthew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 )

3._____ As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity, so will he have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come, and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen.
( 2 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40; Revelation 22:20 )

     We must be ready for the Last Day of our lives and the Last Day of history; that is, do you repent of your sins on a daily basis and do you love righteousness?  Do you know the will of God for your life which is for you to be sanctified?  Do you do devotions and read the Divine Scriptures everyday?  Do you love God and your neighbor?  If you know more about God and failed to act, it will be a greater judgment; however, if you did not know it may be a lesser judgment.  Everyday you should ask God to search your hearts to love Him more and more; that is, will your love for Jesus stand on the Last Day?
     The doctrine of the final judgment should motivate us to live right before God and cultivate the respectful fear of God; that is, do you possess the fear of God?   The fear of God looks like this: when sin happens in your life you repent of it and you treat God with divine respect as a son to his father.  I hope this post motivates you to godly living and awakens many out of sleep to live for our Lord, God, King and Redeemer Jesus Christ!